EPOXI

Two intriguing investigations -- One flight-proven spacecraft

Gallery

EPOXI Mission Trajectory

Caption: This graphic shows the spacecraft trajectory in a rotating coordinate system in which the Earth and Sun are fixed. This allows us to show the orbits of the spacecraft and comet relative to Earth. The spacecraft comes in and has its first Earth flyby in Dec 2007 which sends the spacecraft on its first loop around the Sun (middle loop). A second Earth flyby in Dec 2008 puts it on Loop 2. The final Earth flyby in Dec 2009 puts it on Loop 3 which allows the spacecraft to fly past Hartley 2. Dots along the lines denote potential Trajectory Correction Maneuvers (TCMs) to refine the spacecraft's course.